Ladies knee-high stocking with supporting cuff

ABSTRACT

The supporting cuff is relatively wide and includes successive coursewise or horizontally extending bands with each of the bands including a single course of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale followed by a plurality of successive courses of stitch loops knit of stretchable yarn. Each of the bands includes walewise or vertically extending stripes of stitch loops having a contrasting appearance and formed by alternate and intervening groups of wales with alternate groups of wales including a pattern of tuck stitches interspersed in plain stitch loops. The spaced apart single courses of spandex yarn in the cuff are knit with the spandex yarn under sufficient tension that the stitch loops straighten out and form spaced apart inwardly extending ribs on the inner surface of the cuff to aid in supporting the upper end of the stocking on the leg of the wearer.

United States Patent 1191 Brand et a1.

1451 Sept. 30, 1975 I 1 LADIES KNEE-HIGH STOCKING WITH SUPPORTING CUFF [75] Inventors: Abel L. Brand, Westport, Conn.;

Robert L. Hubbard, Henderson,

21 Appl. No.: 511.317

[52] [1.8. CI. 66/172 E [51] Int. Cl. D04B 9/46 [58] Field of Search 66/178. 41. 172 E. 178 A. 66/1, 173

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.843.086 l/l932 Lawson 66/173 2.169.204 8/1939 Hinchliff. 2.191.456 2/1940 Davis 66/172 E 2.201.557 5/1940 Getaz 66/172 E 2.204.731 6/1940 Getaz 66/172 E 2.223.719 12/1940 Davis 66/172 E 2.223.749 12/1942 Thurston et a1 66/172 E 2.286.753 6/1942 Miller et a1 66/172 E 2.306.246 12/1942 Davis 66/172 E 2.357.506 9/1944 Davis 66/172 2.953.003 9/1960 Crawford. 66/1'73 X 2.977.782 4/1961 Sheck 66/173 3.306.081 2/1967 Miles et a1. 66/178 A 3.461.695 8/1969 Knohl 66/178 A 3.729.956 5/1973 Nebel et a1 66/172 E FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 475.760 11/1937 United Kingdom 66/172 E 6.801.638 8/1968 Netherlands 66/172 E 475.394 8/1964 Switzerland 66/172 E Primary Examiner-Ronald Feldbaum Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Parrott, Bell. Seltzer. Park & Gibson [5 7 1 ABSTRACT The supporting cuff is relatively wide and includes successive coursewise or horizontally extending bands with each of the bands including a single course of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale followed by a plurality of successive courses of stitch loops knit of stretchable yarn. Each of the bands includes walewise or vertically extending stripes of stitch loops having a contrasting appearance and formed by alternate and intervening groups of wales with alternate groups of wales including a pattern of tuck stitches interspersed in plain stitch loops. The spaced apart single courses of spandex yarn in the cuff arc knit with the spandex yarn under sufficient tension that the stitch loops straighten out and form spaced apart inwardly extending ribs on the inner surface of the cuff to aid in supporting the upper end of the stocking on the leg of the wearer.

14 Claims. 6 Drawing Figures LADIES KNEE-HIGH STOCKING WITH SUPPORTING CUFF This invention relates generally to ladies knee-high stockings and more particularly to, such stockings which include a relatively wide supporting cuff presenting an attractive pattern of horizontally extending bands and Walewise or vertically extending stripes and in which spandex yarn is incorporated to support the stocking on the leg of the wearer without an uncomfortable constrictive effect.

It is the usual practice to form the cuff of a ladies knee-high stocking by incorporating rubber or spandex yarn in a relatively narrow band around the upper end of the stocking. In some cases, the narrow cuff or band for supporting the stocking is in the form of a turned welt. It is difficult to provide sufficient stretching and gripping ability to this type of narrow cuff without incorporating an uncomfortable amount of constriction on the leg of the wearer. Also, this type of narrow cuff has a tendency to roll on the leg and this further increases the constrictive effect on the leg.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an elastic cuff for ladies kneehigh stockings which is pleasing and attractive in appearance and which incorporates sufficient stretching and gripping properties to maintain the stocking on the leg without an uncomfortable constrictive effect.

In accordance with the present invention, the cuff of the stocking is knit relatively wide, on the order of about three inches in width, and is formed of successive coursewise or horizontally extending bands with each of the bands including a single course of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale followed by a plurality of successive courses of stitch loops knit of textured stretchable body yarn. Walewise or vertically extending stripes of stitch'loops having a contrasting appearance and formed by alternate and intervening groups of wales are also provided with the alternate groups of wales including a pattern of tuck stitches interspersed in plain stitch loops. The single course of spandex yarn in each of the horizontal bands is knit under sufficient tension that the stitch loops are straightened out when the fabric is relaxed to draw the stitches of the body yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn and to form spaced apart inwardly extending ribs on the inner face of the cuff. These ribs engage the leg of the wearer and aid in supporting the same on the leg.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ladies knee-high stocking of the present invention illustrating the manner in which the wide cuff supports the upper end of the stocking below the knee of the wearer;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged view of one repeat of the stitch structure schematically illustrating one type of stitch loops which may be employed to provide the coursewise or horizontal bands and the Walewise or vertical stripes in the cuff of the stocking;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged view of a small portion of FIG. 3, illustrating the manner in which the stitch loops of covered spandex yarns straighten out in the relaxed fabric to draw the stitches of the body yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn to form inwardly facing coursewise or horizontal ribs in the cuff portion;

FIG. 5 is an end view looking at the left-hand end of FIG. 4 and illustrating the inwardly extending rib formed by the straightened out covered spandex yarn; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing another type of pattern of stitch loops which may be formed in each band in the cuff.

The ladies knee-high stocking disclosed in the present application is illustrated in FIG. 1 as extending up to a point just below the knee of the wearer and this type of stocking is usually worn by ladies wearin g slacks or long pants. However, it is to be understood that the length of the stocking may be varied so that the cuff of the stocking is positioned at other locations on the leg 0f the wearer.

The stocking includesa sheer leg 10 and a foot portion 11 which may include any conventional type heel and toe. The sheer le gand 'foot are knit of fine denier textu ed stretchable yarn which is not in excess of about 30 denier and is preferably even finer denier, such as that specified in the specific example set forth below. The cuff, broadly indicated at C, is relatively wide, on the order of about three inches from the top to the bottom and provides successive coursewise or' horizontally extending bands with each of the bands including a single course, such as course C-1 in FIG. 3, formed of plain knit stitch loops of spandex yarn, indicated at E. A plurality of successive courses of .stitch loops knit of stretchable body yarn, indicated at B, such as courses C-2 through C-8, are knit tocomplete one coursewise or horizontally extending band.

The stitch loops knit of the covered spandex yarn E. as shown in course C-1 of FIG. 3, never actually appear in the fabric as stitch loops since the covered spandex yarn is knit under sufficient tension that the stitch loops straighten out as soon as they are shed from the needles of the knitting machine. When the spandex stitch loops straighten out, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4, the stitch loops of the body yarn B in adjacent courses are drawn around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn to form spaced apart inwardly extending horizontal ribs, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 on the inner surface of the cuff. These ribs are formed at the juncture of each of the coursewise or horizontally extending bands in the cuff C.

Walewise or vertically extending stripes of stitch loops of contrasting appearance are provided in the cuff C. These vertical stripes are formed of alternate and intervening groups of wales which are repeated aroundthe entire cuff of the stocking. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the alternate groups of wales, W-2 through W-6, include a pattern of tuck stitches which are interspersed in plain stitch loops and the intervening groups of wales, W-7 through W-l2, are formed entirely of plain stitch loops.

The upper end of the cuff C is preferably provided with a turned welt W which is knit in the usual manner. However, this turned welt W preferablyv includes the same type of spaced apart single courses of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn and substantially the same stitch construction as the cuff C, as will be explained in the example given below.

A specific but non-limiting example for knitting the ladies knee-high stocking of the present invention ineluding a cuff having a stitch construction of the type illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described. However, it is to be understood that the cuff of the present invention may be knit with other stitch patterns, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6, to be later described. Also, the stocking and cuff will be described as it would be knit on an eight feed circular hosiery knitting machine, however, it is to be understood that this stocking and cuff could be knit on other types of multiple feed hosiery knitting machines.

In knitting the stocking, the conventional makeup courses are first knit in the usual manner by first feeding a textured stretchable 40/13 denier nylon body yarn to alternate needles of a 400 needle machine. The body yarn is then picked up in the conventional manner by the transfer hooks in the dial of the machine and the loops are held while the turned welt W is being knit.

During the knitting of the welt W, a 466 denier spandex yarn with a double covering is fed at the first knitting station so that alternate needles pick up and knit the covered spandex yarn E while this yarn is floated inside of the intervening needles in a l X l manner. At the second knitting station, the body yarn B is knit on every needle. At the third knitting station, the body yarn B is knit on alternate needles which form the alternate groups of wales while intervening needles form tucks and.the stitch loops from the preceding course are held on the needles. No yarn is fed at the fourth knitting-station and the needles are not raised to knitting position at this station. At the fifth knitting station,

vthe body yarn is knit on alternate needles and floated inside of intervening needles. At the sixth station, the body yarn is knit on all needles. At the seventh knitting station, the body yarn is knit on alternate needles which form the alternate groups of wales while intervening needles form tucks. No knitting takes place at the eighth knitting station.

Thus, by using six of the eight knitting stations of the machine while knitting the welt W, the courses of spandex yarn are separated by five courses of body yarn and six courses are knit with each rotation of the needle cylinder. After about nine rotations of the needle cylinder, during which 54 courses are formed, the loops being held on the dial transfer points are transferred back to the cylinder needles to join the fabric and complete the turned welt W.

Then, the inactive fourth and eighth yarn feed stations are activated and an eight course repeat of coursewise or horizontally extending bands are knit to form the cuff C. The spandex yarn E is fed to all of the needles to form stitch loops in every wale at the first knitting station to form a plain course, as schematically illustrated in course C-1 of FIG. 3. At the second knitting station, the body yarn B is fed to all of the needles and stitch loops are formed thereby, as illustrated in course C-2. At the third knitting station, the body yarn B is fed to and forms alternating'tucks and stitch loops in the alternate groups of wales, as shown in wales W-2 through W-6 of course C-3 while the stitch loops are formed on all needles forming the intervening groups of wales, as shown in wales W-7 through W-12. At the fourth knitting station, the body yarn is fed to and knit on all of the needles to form course C-4 and the held loops and tucks in wales W-2, W-4 and W-6 are shed to form tuck stitches therefrom. At the fifth knitting station, the body yarn B forms alternating plain stitch loops and tucks in the alternate groups of wales, as

shown in wales W-2 through W-6 of course C-S while plain stitch loops are formed on all needles forming the intervening groups of wales, as shown in wales W-7 through W-12. At the sixth knitting station, the body yarn B is fed to all of the needles and plain stitch loops are formed thereon as shown in course C-6. At the seventh knitting station, the body yarn B forms alternating tucks and plain stitches in the alternate group of wales W-2 through W-6 while it forms plain stitch loops in all wales in the group of intervening wales W-7 through W-12. At the eighth knitting station, the body yarn B is fed to all of the needles and plain stitch loops are formed to shed the held loops and tucks and form tuck stitches in wales W-2, W-4 and W-6 of courses C-6 and C-7. After a sufficient number of the coursewise extending bands are repeated, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the leg of the stocking is formed. To formabout three inches of cuff fabric, approximately 39 repeats or 312 courses are required. Then, the yarns knitting the cuff portion are changed at all of the feeds to a fine denier textured stretch nylon yarn of 18/4 denier to knit the leg 10 and foot 11 of the stocking.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the courses C-l, knit with plain stitches of the covered spandex yarn E, are knit under sufficient tension that the stitch loops straighten out and draw the stitches of the body yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn to form spaced apart inwardly extending ribs, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 on the inner surface of the cuff. These ribs provide a relatively wide gripping area on the leg of the wearer and aid in supporting the stocking on the leg without applying a constrictive force to the leg.

Other types of stitch constructions may be used in knitting the cuff C and one such stitch construction is illustrated in FIG. 6. This cuff is knit in generally the same manner as that described for knitting the cuff fabric in FIG. 3. For example, courses C-l through C-4 of FIG. 6 are knit in the same manner as the corresponding courses of FIG. 3. During the knitting of course C-S, at the fifth knitting station, the body yarn B is knit in the even numbered wales while it is floated behind the held stitches in the odd numbered wales and completely around the cuff. The courses C-6 and C-7 of FIG. 6 are knit in the same manner as the corresponding courses C-6 and C-7 of FIG. 3 except that the tucks and held loops are formed in the odd numbered wales of the alternate groups of wales. Course C-8 is knit in the same manner in both the fabric shown in FIG. 3 and the fabric shown in FIG. 6.

In the type of stitch construction shown in FIG. 3, the tuck stitches are interspersed in the plain stitches in the alternate groups of wales W-2 through W-6 while the intervening groups of wales W-7 through W-12 comprise only plain stitch loops. In both of the patterns (FIGS. 3 and 6) each of the coursewise or horizontally extending bands consist of eight courses. In the fabric illustrated in FIG. 3 the alternate groups of adjacent wales W-2 through W-6 consist of five wales and the intervening groups of wales W-7 through W-12 consist of six wales. In the fabric of FIG. 6 the alternate groups of adjacent wales consist of six wales W-l through W-6 ribs to aid in supportingthe cuffvon. the leg. The cuff may also include walewise or vertically extending stripes of stitchj loops having a contrasting appearance and formed by alternate and intervening groups of wales with the alternate 'groups of -wales including a pattern of tuck stitches interspersed in plain stitch loops. The cuff is self-supporting on the leg of the wearer and has sufficient width that it does not apply a constrictive force to the leg of the wearer. Also, the wide cuff does not tend to roll, as does the usual narrow cuff heretofore used. It is to be understood that a heavier denier yarn may be knit in the leg, if a sheer leg is not desired. Also, the cuff of the present invention may be used at the upper end of various types of hosiery articles.

in the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is l. A ladies knee-high stocking including a. a leg and foot portion knit of textured stretchable yarn, and b. a single-ply cuff of about 3 inches in width for supporting the upper end of the stocking on the leg of the wearer, said supporting cuff including the same number of wales as said leg and foot portion and comprising 1. a plurality of successive courses knit of textured stretchable body yarn, and 2. spaced apart single courses of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale, said single courses of spandex yarn extending throughout the width of said cuff and being knit under sufficient tension to straighten out in the relaxed fabric and draw the stitches of said body yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn to form spaced apart inwardly extending ribs on the inner surface of said cuff to aid in supporting the same on the leg of the wearer. 2. A stocking according to claim 1 wherein said textured stretchable yarn knit in said leg and foot does not exceed about 30 denier, and wherein said textured stretchable body yarn knit in said cuff does not exceed about 50 denier.

3. A stocking according to claim 1 including a turned welt formed integral with the upper end of said cuff.

4. A stocking according to claim 3 wherein said turned welt includes a plurality of successive courses knit of textured stretchable body yarn, and spaced apart single courses of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale.

5. In a ladies knee-high stocking including a sheer leg and foot portion of fine denier textured stretchable yarn, the combination therewith of a single-ply cuff of substantial width for supporting the upper end of the stocking on the leg of the wearer, said supporting cuff including the same number of wales as said leg and foot portion and comprising a. successive coursewise extending bands, each of said bands including a single course of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale followed by a plurality of successive courses of stitch loops knit of stretchable yarn, said spandex yarn being knit under sufficient tension to straighten out in the re- 6 ,laxed fabric and drawthe stitches of. s aid stretchable yarn in adjacent courses .around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarnno f an i s..-: wardly ,extending rib,on.,the inner surface. of.- the cuff and at thesjuncture ofeachof, saidbands, and

said successive courses including vvalewiseextend;- ingvertical stripes of-sstitch loops haying a contrast: I

ing appearance and formed by alternate and intervening groups of wales with alternate groups of wales including a pattern of tuck stitches interspersed in plain stitch loops.

6. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein said intervening groups of wales comprise plain stitch loops.

7. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein each of said bands consist of eight courses.

8. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein said alternate groups of wales consist of five wales and said intervening groups of wales consist of six wales.

9. A stocking according to claim 5 including a turned welt formed integral with the upper end of said cuff.

10. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein each of said alternate groups of wales of each of said bands comprises plain stitch loops of spandex yarn, alternating held loops and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating tucks and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and held loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and tucks of said stretchable yarn, alternating held loops and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating tucks and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn.

11. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein each of said alternate groups of wales of each of said bands comprises plain stitch loops of spandex yarn, alternating held loops and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating tucks and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and held loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and floats of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and held loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and tucks of said stretchable yarn, the plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn.

12. A ladies knee-high stocking including a. a leg and foot portion knit of textured stretchable yarn, and

b. a relatively wide cuff for supporting the upper end of the stocking on the leg of the wearer, said supporting cuff including the same number of wales as said leg and foot portion and comprising 1. a relatively narrow inwardly turned welt at the upper end thereof, and 2. a single-ply portion comprising successive coursewise extending bands extending throughout the width of said single-ply portion of said cuff, each of said bands including A. a single course of plain knit stitches knit exclusively of spandex yarn, and B. at least three successive courses of stitch loops knit of stretchable body yarn, said single courses of spandex yarn being knit under sufficient tension that the stitch loops formed thereof straighten out in the relaxed fabric and draw the stitches of said body yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened outstitches of spandex yarn to form spaced apart inwardly ex- I tending ribs on the inner surface of said singlethree hundred and twelve courses.

P y Portion of said cuff to aid in Supporting the 14. A stocking according to claim 12 wherein each 9 h 9 a of said successive coursewise extending bands includes 13. A stocking according to claim 12 wherein said c'uff is approximately three incheswide; wherein Said seven courses of stitch loops knit of said stretchable turned welt includes approximately fifty-four courses, body y and the remainder of said cuff includes approximately 

1. A ladies'' knee-high stocking including a. a leg and foot portion knit of textured stretchable yarn, and b. a single-ply cuff of about 3 inches in width for supporting the upper end of the stocking on the leg of the wearer, said supporting cuff including the same number of wales as said leg and foot portion and comprising
 1. a relatively narrow inwardly turned welt at the upper end thereof, and
 1. a plurality of successive courses knit of textured stretchable body yarn, and
 2. a single-ply portion comprising successive coursewise extending bands extending throughout the width of said single-ply portion of said cuff, each of said bands including A. a single course of plain knit stitches knit exclusively of spandex yarn, and B. at least three successive courses of stitch loops knit of stretchable body yarn, said single courses of spandex yarn being knit under sufficient tension that the stitch loops formed thereof straighten out in the relaxed fabric and draw the stitches of said body yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn to form spaced apart inwardly extending ribs on the inner surface of said single-ply portion of said cuff to aid in supporting the same on the leg of the wearer.
 2. spaced apart single courses of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale, said single courses of spandex yarn extending throughout the width of said cuff and being knit under sufficient tension to straighten out in the relaxed fabric and draw the stitches of said body yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn to form spaced apart inwardly extending ribs on the inner surface of said cuff to aid in supporting the same on the leg of the wearer.
 2. A stocking according to claim 1 wherein said textured stretchable yarn knit in said leg and foot does not exceed about 30 denier, and wherein said textured stretchable body yarn knit in said cuff does not exceed about 50 denier.
 3. A stocking according to claim 1 including a turned welt formed integral with the upper end of said cuff.
 4. A stocking according to claim 3 wherein said turned welt includes a plurality of successive courses knit of textured stretchable body yarn, and spaced apart single courses of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale.
 5. In a ladies'' knee-high stocking including a sheer leg and foot portion of fine denier textured stretchable yarn, the combination therewith of a single-ply cuff of substantial width for supporting the upper end of the stocking on the leg of the wearer, said supporting cuff including the same number of wales as said leg and foot portion and comprising a. successive coursewise extending bands, each of said bands including a single course of plain knit stitches of spandex yarn in every wale followed by a plurality of successive courses of stitch loops knit of stretchable yarn, said spandex yarn being knit under sufficient tension to straighten out in the relaxed fabric and draw the stitches of said stretchable yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn to form an inwardly extending rib on the inner surface of the cuff and at the juncture of each of said bands, and b. said successive courses including walewise extending vertical stripes of stitch loops having a contrasting appearance and formed by alternate and intervening groups of wales with alternate groups of wales including a pattern of tuck stitches interspersed in plain stitch loops.
 6. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein said intErvening groups of wales comprise plain stitch loops.
 7. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein each of said bands consist of eight courses.
 8. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein said alternate groups of wales consist of five wales and said intervening groups of wales consist of six wales.
 9. A stocking according to claim 5 including a turned welt formed integral with the upper end of said cuff.
 10. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein each of said alternate groups of wales of each of said bands comprises plain stitch loops of spandex yarn, alternating held loops and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating tucks and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and held loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and tucks of said stretchable yarn, alternating held loops and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating tucks and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn.
 11. A stocking according to claim 5 wherein each of said alternate groups of wales of each of said bands comprises plain stitch loops of spandex yarn, alternating held loops and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating tucks and plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and held loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and floats of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and held loops of said stretchable yarn, alternating plain stitch loops and tucks of said stretchable yarn, the plain stitch loops of said stretchable yarn.
 12. A ladies'' knee-high stocking including a. a leg and foot portion knit of textured stretchable yarn, and b. a relatively wide cuff for supporting the upper end of the stocking on the leg of the wearer, said supporting cuff including the same number of wales as said leg and foot portion and comprising
 1. a relatively narrow inwardly turned welt at the upper end thereof, and
 2. a single-ply portion comprising successive coursewise extending bands extending throughout the width of said singleply portion of said cuff, each of said bands including A. a single course of plain knit stitches knit exclusively of spandex yarn, and B. at least three successive courses of stitch loops knit of stretchable body yarn, said single courses of spandex yarn being knit under sufficient tension that the stitch loops formed thereof straighten out in the relaxed fabric and draw the stitches of said body yarn in adjacent courses around the straightened out stitches of spandex yarn to form spaced apart inwardly extending ribs on the inner surface of said single-ply portion of said cuff to aid in supporting the same on the leg of the wearer.
 13. A stocking according to claim 12 wherein said cuff is approximately three inches wide, wherein said turned welt includes approximately fifty-four courses, and the remainder of said cuff includes approximately three hundred and twelve courses.
 14. A stocking according to claim 12 wherein each of said successive coursewise extending bands includes seven courses of stitch loops knit of said stretchable body yarn. 